Resignation of Luis Rubiales Sparks Crisis in Spanish Football
The recent resignation of Luis Rubiales as the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has sent shockwaves through the Spanish football landscape. Rubiales stepped down amid controversy surrounding his conduct and interactions with footballer Jennifer Hermoso.
Rubiales’s decision to resign comes three weeks after he was suspended by FIFA for three months. While the government was unable to remove him from office, the Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte (TAD) deemed his behavior during an incident at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney as serious misconduct. This left Rubiales without the support of both the CSD and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
In his resignation letter, Rubiales takes no responsibility for his actions and hints at the existence of powerful forces working against him. He states, After the swift suspension by FIFA, in addition to the rest of the proceedings opened against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position. Rubiales suggests that certain powers will prevent his return, possibly referring to those who supported him in the past but have turned against him.
Rubiales also alludes to a larger plan, mentioning the stability required for Europe and Africa to remain united in their goal of hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. It seems that Rubiales may have spoken to someone who assured him that stepping down would benefit both him and the candidacy he might be associated with in the future.
I have faith in the truth and I am going to do everything in my power to make it prevail, Rubiales asserts in his letter. However, he faces legal battles ahead, as he must defend himself against allegations of sexual assault. Failure to do so successfully could result in a conviction that would permanently tarnish his reputation.
This crisis has exposed the need for reform within the RFEF. However, it is expected to be a difficult task due to the entrenched power dynamics and familial ties within the organization. The involvement of outside forces, such as La Liga President Javier Tebas or government intervention to appoint a female leader, will likely face resistance from within the football federation.
Spanish football has a historical aversion to interference from external entities. The downfall of Ángel María Villar, Rubiales’s predecessor, came after the Guardia Civil raided his office in Las Rozas. Villar’s legal battles are still ongoing, and his removal from office was initiated by the government of then-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, citing allegations of corruption.
Rubiales, on the other hand, was protected by the Sánchez government until he crossed moral boundaries and offended feminist sentiments. The government then brought charges against him, indicating a shift in their stance. This raises questions about the government’s motives and whether the pursuit of justice aligns with their political agenda.
As Spanish football grapples with this crisis, it remains to be seen how the RFEF will be reformed and who will assume leadership. The challenging task of transforming an organization with deep-rooted traditions and resisting external influence is expected to take time. The Holy Family in Las Rozas, as the RFEF is colloquially referred to, will likely rally together to protect their established way of conducting affairs.
In conclusion, Luis Rubiales’s resignation has plunged Spanish football into a state of crisis. With allegations of misconduct and a legal battle ahead, the former RFEF President’s departure and the subsequent reform within the federation will shape the future of Spanish football.
